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Government must conclude that they were ignorant of or had no control over the proceedings of the Viceroy of Canton and the local authorities and would have to deal locally with the matters at issue without referring to the Government at Peking.
Mr. Bax Ironside addressed a Note in the above sense to the Yamen on the 1st instant.
These repeated representations made to the Yamen led to no result, and after more than a week had elapsed, the Viceroy of Canton not having removed the Chinese troops from Kowloon city, and information having reached the Governor of Hongkong of preconcerted plans for the invasion of the leased territory by large numbers of roughs from the northern boundary, the Governor was authorized to deal with the matter locally, and, with approval of Her Majesty's Government, Kowloon city and Samchun were occupied by the British forces.
In view of the fact that the Chinese Government do not hold themselves responsible for attacks by local mobs on British troops, the obligation falls upon Her Majesty's Government of performing the duty which is usually performed by the Sovereign of the country, but which the Chinese Government decline.
After the recent experience which they have had not only of the worthlessness of the protection extended by the Chinese garrison at Kowloon, but of the additional danger involved in its presence, it is impossible for Her Majesty's Government to allow the resumption of Chinese Authority within the walls of that city.
As regards Samchun, the question of the permanent arrangements to be made in respect to it must be reserved for future consideration, but as it appears to have been the principal basis of the attacks on the British forces it will be necessary that it should remain provisionally in British occupation for the protection of the leased territory and the maintenance...